TheSeabass
Well-Known Member
John 3:36 shows that "not believing" is disobedience therefore believing is obedience and not a mere mental assent of the mind...a mere acknowledgement of certain facts and nothing more. Believing therefore is a work, an obedient work.The word απειθεω has the basic meaning of "not to allow one’s self to be persuaded" as my lexicon has it. Notice also how various version translate that word in that verse:
NASB "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
NIV "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him."
NKJV "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
Whereas the salvation-by-Works Christians would take the NASB's translation "does not obey" and imply that obedience is with reference to some kind of a law, whereas as you noted it's referring to refusing to believe.
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